Calling the glass-and-granite glamour of 80 Collins home, Morena Melbourne is Chef Alejandro Saravia’s love letter to the cuisine of a continent. A tasting-menu temple that speaks in the bold dialects of Lima’s cevicherías, the smoky parrillas of Buenos Aires, and the spice-soaked markets of Cartagena, Morena champions the authentic and bold flavours of South and Central America without the clichés.

Instead, the restaurant’s interiors channel the warm, sun-baked Caribbean coastlines of Mexico and Central America through a subtle, sophisticated palette. Think natural timbers, soft lighting, and textures that invite you to lean in, focus, and settle into the experience. And what an experience it is.

Take a tasting journey

Morena is all about elevated tasting menus, with two main options that act as carefully curated culinary journeys across Latin America. The Tales of Latin America menu is a multi-course story told through dishes like the Terramirra venison loin tartlet, where ripe plantain and ajicero cut through the richness with a sharp punch. Ama ebi prawns are next in the lineup, served with acaraje and dende oil in a dish that’s a delight. The Blue Eye ceviche, brightened with green mango tiger’s milk and finger lime, refreshes the palate before the king prawns from South Australia, accompanied by salsa madre and a splash of Pisco, make a memorable entrance. Mains such as grilled grouper loin swimming in squid and octopus stew with prawn dashi or the MS 6 Wagyu striploin with cassava terrine, jus, and avocado anchor the menu with depth and texture. The tasting menu closes with a deftly balanced dessert of brown butter and almond cake paired with white chocolate yerba mate tea and citrusy lulo sorbet, which cuts through the sweetness with crisp brightness.

If you are after more flexibility, the Latin Pathways menu offers a choice of two or three courses, each dish a nod to traditional flavours, though reimagined with finesse. Highlights include snapper ceviche with ají limo leche de tigre and sweet potato and grilled lamb backstrap dressed in aji panca jus. If you want to up the ante, you can add an Argentinian Asador experience, which is a carnivore’s dream with its flank steak, short ribs, chorizo, and blood sausage served alongside spring salad and condiments. Sides like hand-cut potato chips with aji amarillo mayo and butter lettuce salad with peanut vinaigrette round out the meal with bright, crunchy textures.

Sip and savour

What sets Morena apart is its exceptional wine list. Carefully curated to showcase native varietals from across Latin America, the list also weaves in choice selections from the Old and New Worlds. Wine pairings are offered to match each menu, with each wine picked with purpose and designed to complement the flavours on your plate.

Morena Melbourne’s dinner service runs Tuesday to Saturday, with lunch available Wednesday to Friday. It’s not a place for loud, raucous nights but rather an invitation to slow down, appreciate bold flavours, and engage with the rich traditions of Latin America, one meticulously crafted course at a time.